Foil Challenge

[ather]

I know we all talked about this but I need it in writing to hold myself more accountable! I have picked out around 28 foils that I am hoping to get through by the end of Feb. that’s 1 foil a day unless I decide to stack more than one! Here’s what I’ve picked randomly! 

 

[ather]

February foils! 

I actually used more than I expected since half the month I was sick. All I loved. And will consider purchasing once I get through my current stash.

I have a ton of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Extra Strength Daily Peel Pads #i have to be careful using them since they are a little to strong on my skin. Maybe in the warmer months it won’t be as drying for me. 

[curlychiquita]

I’m glad you’re finally feeling better, @ather! Great job on your foils, though.

[ather]

@curlychiquita  Thank you! I still have. Cough but I’m feeling myself now! 

[itsfi]

February was a rough month for you but you did a fantastic job with samples @ather.  🙌🏼  I spy some good ones - tarte marula oil is a good one - good for nails/cuticles too! 

[ather]

@itsfi  Yes! I was surprised I actually used any since I was so sick! I need to up my game again. I have been getting more. 

[itsfi]

What? I think your foils game is already strong @ather but I look forward to seeing you up it! Foils are going down!! 😅

[ather]

@itsfi  Omg so funny!!! 😆 yess those foils need to go down!! I feel like a couple years ago I was better at using foils but lately I’ve been slacking!

[itsfi]

Oh, I hear that @ather! Confession time - I found a couple of foil makeup samples and they were expired. I'm not talking like they were past the expiration date by a week or a month, but by years. I'll just show myself to the corner and sit there. 😅 Le sigh. 😣

[ather]

@itsfi  Oh noooo!!! Do they all have an expiration date on them? I feel like I never noticed it before. Now I must check them all!! 

[itsfi]

@ather, I've seen a few foils with expiration dates but I think most do not include them. My pile of foils have grown (eek!) and it was a reminder that I need to go through them and make sure that I'm not hoarding them without a good reason (i.e., future trip, etc.)

[itsfi]

February 2025 Foils

👍  The Givenchy foundation that makes up these samples is no more - I don't know if the brand simply renamed and repackaged it or if it's been discontinued and replaced by the new foundation. I have a full size of this foundation already so even if it were still around, no need to repurchase. This is a reminder (again) that I should really use my foil samples closer to the time I pick them up. Unless, of course, I'm saving them for a trip or waiting to accumulate a few more samples so I have a decent amount of the product to test out, neither of which was the case here, but I'm going to try to be better at using my foils sooner rather than later, @ather.

🤔  I'm confused by the Prada Paradoxe Virtual Flower Eau de Parfum - the initial bergamot notes do not come acrosss the same way consistently. Some days it's been bright, fresh, and citrusy, which is a plus; and then, other days, there's a lingering sharp metallic undertone that lingers far longer than I prefer. I'm fairly certain I have more vials of this fragrance and I *may* keep them to see how this wears on my skin in the warmer months, but I may also include them with a few items I plan to donate. 

Foils Dashboard:

Month-To-Date = 4

Year-To-Date = 7

[ather]

@itsfi  ooooo I haven’t seen that foundation before. I wonder if it was short lived?? Good job!!! 

I feel like I also have that perfume sample and I wasn’t in love either. Interested if you try in the warmer months! 

[itsfi]

@ather, hmmm.... 🤔 I feel like the Givenchy foundation has been around for a while; they did a repackaging recently or semi-recently (1-2 years? but I could be mistaken) and then the new foundation came out. I'll let you know about the Prada if I do have another one - I'll try it when it gets warmer and may try layering it with other scents.

[itsfi]

January 2025 Foils

I used 3 foil samples this month, which was 1 more than I thought I would be able to get through. 2 likes (but not a repurchase) and 1 that's just "meh".

👍  Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots - these particular hydrocolloid acne patches used to be my go-to pimple patches - for decades; a definite GOAT. When the brand launched ones geared for daytime use - thinner and thus, more discreet those slowly morphed into my favorites. The Inkey Lit recently released their own version of these (The INKEY List Hydrocolloid Invisible Patches 22 patches / pack) which include two sizes and can be worn day or night. I went into more detail comparing the product from two brands on theBeauty Product Battles, Throw Downs and Showdowns thread, and ultimately, TIL has come out on top. I would happily use these Peace Out dots (though I'm happy that m need to use them has become less frequent), but the one-time GOAT in this category is now a backup and TIL's version is in the starting lineup. 

😐  amika Dream Routine Overnight Hydrating Hair Mask 3.3 oz / 100 mL (gratis) - I received a full size as gratis but instead of breaking it open, I reached for this deluxe sample sized foil of it to test out. It's not bad, but it didn't wow me. My hair (mid-length, color-treated, fine strands, but I have a lot of strands so it seems like my hair is thicker than it actually is) prefers the Kérastase Nutritive 8H Magic Night Serum Hydrating Treatment for Dry Hair 3.04 oz / 90 ml.

👍  Target's up & up Gel Nail Polish Remover Pad - I've used these pads before even though I've never had gel nails. I find these good for removing glitter nail polish, or in this case, removing and cleaning the exterior of a candle jar where the label had oddly melted away. I have plenty of nail polish remover and individual remover pads so I'm not in need of replenishing anytime soon - these are good especially, as I mentioned, for removing glitter nail.

Foils Dashboard:

Month-To-Date = 3

Year-To-Date = 3

I feel like this year, I may try to be more proactive at the beginning of the month and pick out a couple of foils I will aim to use up during the month @ather. Right now, I'm thinking I'll include at least one of either (a) a fragrance sample vial or (b) makeup sample (something on the foil or smaller side, if possible). I had previously contemplated going for both in the same month but I think one or the other is better suited for me at the present time (though I could see some months incorporating both). I'll likely have foils of other products I will use in a given month. I'll alternate monthly between a fragrance and a makeup sample, beginning next month. Unless I find that this isn't working out for me at all, I'll revisit this approach at the end of May.

[ather]

@itsfi  Good job! It’s nice to test some out and even if they aren’t a 🐐 it’s nice to test it out! It’s nice to have some nail polish removing pads around. Especially when you have some stubborn polish! Oooo I’ll have to check out the throw down thread for the acne patch throw down! 

[itsfi]

💯 @ather! I expect to see more variety in my product ratings when it comes to samples - with the full sizes, there more likely to be likes or better than likes, especially since I’m testing them out first before buying, for the most part at least. 

I was really surprised by how well The Inkey List pimple patches perform. I also like the new CosRX ones so there may be a battle with those two later this year. 

[itsfi]

December 2024 Foils

From last month, I went through 2 foils @ather; makeup ones too! Well, technically, I went through one of the foils here - Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Kind Words Matte Lipstick Gifted and partially through the other shade - Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Kind Words Matte Lipstick Lively; I tried to use up as much of Lively as I could before the end of last year. I used up half of the product in the foil - there's a lot of product packed in these - Lively is pretty but it just isn't a shade for me. 

In addition to these 2 foils, I included 25 foil samples in a bag of clothes and other items that went to a local women's shelter. 

Foils Dashboard:

Month-To-Date = 2

Year-To-Date = 133

[ather]

@itsfi  Great job!! Makeup samples are hard especially if it isn’t the shade that works for you!! And 133 is amazing!! Great year. 

You are so sweet to donate yours! I need to go through my clothes and samples and make a little care package! 📦 

[ather]

November Foils!

 I have quite the collection of these guys and I was trying to get through them. Up until I started seeing negative effects and had to slow down. So I am only once a week. I will still try to get through these this month! 

[itsfi]

@ather, I think with our skin type once a week is good. You could even try less if you have other actives in your skinare routine. If you're still experiencing negative skin reactions to these peel pads, maybe try using them on your feet / soles / heels?